Urban Energy Support is an information portal of relevant documents and resources, with an emphasis on practical tools and guides to support the transition towards sustainable local energy development and a low carbon trajectory for the country in the context of global climate change.

Four of South Africa’s metros – Cape Town, eThekwini, Johannesburg and Tshwane – are working towards the implementation of ambitious policies and innovative programmes that aim for net zero carbon emissions from newly-built buildings by 2050.

The objective of this project is to accelerate the development and implementation of energy efficiency policies and programmes for new buildings in South African cities by 2020 to work towards a net zero carbon performance. Cities are required to develop new building codes which exceed the current new building energy codes on energy efficiency (SANS 10400 XA). The South Africa Buildings Programme aims to support the four C40 partner cities viz. eThekwini, Tshwane, Johannesburg and Cape Town in implementing low carbon and/or carbon-zero buildings.

The National Development Plan (NDP) envisages that, by 2030, South Africa will have made headway in transitioning to an environmentally sustainable, climate change resilient, low-carbon and just society (Chapter Five of the NDP). This will be done by promoting economic growth, social equity and environmental sustainability. The project will assist in giving effect to the proposals contained in the Chapter Five of the National Development Plan. This will be achieved through convening a series of high-level dialogue stakeholder meetings to build consensus on the vision and develop long-term pathways with concrete options for low-carbon economic and climate-resilient future for South Africa.

SEA, in partnership with the Green Business College, convened a 5-day training course aimed at capacitating low-income, vulnerable households in George on how to start a hotbox manufacturing business. In particular, the training aimed at improving the energy welfare of women, who are the ones usually responsible for cooking, and are most exposed to indoor air pollution as a result of using unsafe fuels like paraffin, wood, and coal.

Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) recently held a dialogue meeting under its Vertical Integration Low Emission Development (V-LED) project to deepen the conversation on accessing climate finance. The discussion interrogated the actual nuts and bolts of this highly sought after aspect required for mainstreaming climate response action into service delivery functions such as the opportunities; innovations and constraints; governance; and institutional issues.

Sub-Saharan cities across the continent invited their peers to join Covenant of Mayors Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) to make a voluntarily political commitment to implement climate and energy actions in their communities and agree on a long-term vision to tackle 3 pillars, namely access to energy, mitigation and adaptation.

Do you want to receive our newsletter?

Name *

Email Address *

Organisation & Department *

* indicates required field

WARNING: Scammers in Durban and Eastern Cape
Please be warned of scammers posing as Sustainable Energy Africa operating in the Durban and Eastern Cape areas. These scammers are accepting payment for the instalment of solar water heaters and other domestic equipment and not returning. Please note that SEA does not sell nor install any equipment. If you have been approached or have any information, please do let us know. Any information to track down these con artists will be useful. Please call Mukta Govan at 021 702 3622.